Deepal G318 2025 Review - International

The Deepal G318 isn’t yet locked in for Australia but seems a strong chance.

For now, though, it’s a long way off having spec finalised and pricing announced.

But if we’re spinning the crystal ball, we’d reckon it needs to start somewhere near $70,000 to cut through the diesel-powered off-road rivals such as the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest.

It also needs to keep an eye on the GWM Tank 500 hybrid that kicks off at $66,490 drive-away.

Assuming it makes it to Australia we’d expect it to come packed with gear, including a panoramic sunroof, 14.6-inch infotainment screen and digital instrument cluster.

Beneath the skin is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, something that never drives the car. It makes 112kW to recharge the battery.

Instead, it’s an electric motor – or two in the case of the all-wheel-drive model we drove – that keep the wheels turning. The front motor makes 131kW and the rear motor 185kW, the two combining to punch out 316kW and 572Nm.

Along with a 35.07kWh battery it provides EV-only running for well over 100km along with the back-up of an onboard generator.

It’s impossible to ignore the design of the Deepal G318.

There’s no shortage of generic-looking SUVs these days, but the G318 isn’t one of them.

It’s a seriously good-looking large SUV with some boxiness and modern touches.

The spare wheel mounted on the swing-out tailgate adds to the rugged aesthetic and the roof platform with integrated spotlights is a neat touch.

That functional thoughtfulness flows through to the cabin, too.

Grab handles on either side of the dash, orange stitching and quality plastics make for something a cut above many mainstream off-roaders.

And Deepal has resisted the temptation to pack everything into the 14.6-inch touchscreen, instead leaving physical buttons and toggles for things such as the ventilation and drive mode selector.

The G318 can also run on electricity. That’s because it’s a range-extender hybrid.

An electric motor or two are the only things turning the wheels, but there’s also a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo to generate electricity.

At lower speeds and when driven gently the engine is mute.

But pick up the pace and you might hear it grumbling quietly as it generates electrons.

It makes for a refined and easy driving experience.

There’s up to 316kW and 572Nm in the dual-motor model we tested and it’s swiftly accessible.

While plenty of kilos dull the acceleration from what those lofty numbers might suggest, it’s a lot lustier than your average diesel off-roader.

And while there’s plenty of EV in the driving experience it’ll go anywhere you can find petrol.

The claimed range is upwards of 1000km, albeit according to the notoriously optimistic Chinese CLTC standard.
But even if that drops to 800km-odd in the real world it still makes it thoroughly useful for those who want to adventure.

And, of course, the G318 can be recharged externally.

There’s a 35.07kWh battery that should comfortably provide upwards of 100km of EV range.

A home charge from a regular powerpoint would take about 18 hours – or around six hours with a wallbox – or you can DC fast charge from 30 to 80 per cent in about half an hour.

The G318 also has decent off-road credentials, at least on paper. Our drive was limited to a smooth skid pan, but it’s designed to venture a lot further.

There’s a full-size spare wheel, decent ground clearance once you raise the air suspension system, an approach angle of 27 degrees and a departure angle of 31 degrees.

There’s also a rear locking differential and various drive modes to tailor the traction systems to different terrain.

The Deepal G318 rides on 18-inch Michelin tyres designed to deal with gravel and rocks (but curiously the spare on our car was a Continental).

As a result they’re compromised for on-road running, something you quickly learn if you ask it to change direction a little more enthusiastically.

Grip levels are modest and it doesn’t have the steering crispness of something closer to the ground. There’s also some leaning as the suspension tries to counter the mass.

The tall ride height is also impacting that and there’s clearly a lot of weight at play as well.

The G318 is also strictly a five-seater in a market segment where three rows of seats are common.

That’s less of an issue for off-road touring but doesn’t bring the family versatility some need.

Plus the G318 doesn’t have the towing credentials many want in a large SUV. The tow capacity of the car is 1600kg, which is less than half the 3.5 tonne some lug.

Right now you can’t buy a Deepal G318 in Australia and the company isn’t saying whether it’s on the cards in future.

There’s still a business case that needs to be done to justify it, but clearly there would be some interest in a car with such distinctive looks.

We need to see where the Deepal G318 may land in terms of pricing to really work out its competitiveness.
But at the very least it offers something quite different in that large off-road SUV segment that is still dominated by diesel.

The range-extender system provides an interesting antidote to traditional off-roaders.

2025 Deepal G318 at a glance:
Price: Estimated from around $70,000
Available: Not locked in for Australia, but could arrive from 2026
Powertrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo, two electric motors
Output: 112kW (petrol engine), 131kW (front electric motor), 185kW (rear electric motor)
Combined output: 316kW/572Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Battery: 35.07kWh lithium-ion
Range: More than 1000km
Energy consumption: N/A
Fuel: N/A
CO2: N/A
Safety rating: Not tested

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